How To Really Detox Your Body

By: Marina Farook

Summary

We can all benefit from a bodily detox. Here's how it really works.
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Contrary to popular belief, detoxing is a continuous process in the body
not just something that happens when we drink a smoothie. The human body has natural detoxing systems that take place whether we are sipping tea-tox or not. All we have to do is keep those detox pathways healthy, clean and active. SURPRISE! You don’t have to do anything extra to detox your body. All you need do is adopt a few healthy habits.

When is the last time we actually stopped to find out what is detoxing and if it actually works?

Detoxing requires the use of the liver and kidneys and the last time I checked both organs function daily instead of periodically ( while drinking a tea-tox ) as we like to think. Sorry to say, an Instagrammers coupon code IS NOT going to jump start your fat burn process. The key (or common sense) to this whole detox thing is to understand what detox is and LEAD A DETOX LIFESTYLE instead of purchasing magical detox products.

You can tweak your current habits and make your body a life long detoxing machine. By learning more about your natural system and activating it, you can keep your body strong and fit. Also, by leading a less toxic life, your body releases stored toxins in your fat cells there by shrinking your fat cells leading to weight loss (TA-DA !).

The Actual Process

Our body is designed to continuously and naturally remove toxins.
You can divide toxins into two groups: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Water-soluble toxins are easily flushed out of the body through the blood and kidneys ( drink enough water girls!) Fat-soluble toxins are a bit difficult for the body to remove.

These fat-soluble toxins are :

heavy metals

pesticides

preservatives

food additives

pollutants

plastics

other environment chemicals

Fat-soluble toxins if not removed (detoxed) are stored inside your fat cells. All of this detoxing happens in the liver and is removed through stool if your gut is clean and strong. But if your digestive and detox pathways are not working properly (due to previous toxin buildup caused by hazardous lifestyle and improper nutrition), these toxins are carried from the liver to the blood, fat cells and brain for storage.

Stored toxins in the fat cells and brain CAN NOT be removed by teas which act as a diuretic.

Diuretics (tea/coffee/caffeine) cause the kidney to pass out more urine. More urine means less water retention in the body. You may lose a pound or few by drinking teas but you don’t decide from where. You can't just drink a teatox and order your belly fat to melt away.

Drinking extremely caffeinated teas/drinks help you shed water weight but at the end of the day the fat to lean muscle ratio wouldn't change. Just 2 cups of water equal 1 pound, which you can lose through sweat or urine. So what exactly did you detox?

So Now What?!

To remove fat-soluble toxins (and prevent them from being stored in your fat cells) your intestine functions have to be clear. After a meal, all the nutrients are absorbed and processed in the small intestines. The small intestines have tiny grass like fingers, called
villi, which absorb the nutrients (and toxins). It sends the nutrients for storage and use, and [sends] toxins to the liver for processing out of the body.

Simple Diagram of Villi

Read this TWICE!

The intestines naturally release mucus to capture irritants and remove them from the body. Too many irritants/toxins (food additives, food allergens, bacteria/virus, dust, chemicals and other pollution) cause more mucus secretion than normal. Excessive mucus causes glue-like build up over the villi and hamper proper absorptions. Too much mucus can cause improper processing of the nutrients and toxins. Instead of being earmarked for waste, toxins enter into the storage pathways along with other nutrients and ultimately end up getting stored- guess where?
In your fat cells.

​Over time, your body is storing toxins in the fat cells. So the areas of your body you tend to hate actually have been storing toxins- cue thunder thighs and that spare tire! As we already know, detox teas contain extreme amounts of caffeine which remove water from the body and NOT STORED FAT.

Excessive mucus build up and weak intestines cause several symptoms and warning signs. One or more of these symptoms can mean your nutrient absorption is faulty and instead of removing waste your body is storing that toxic sludge.

​Check if you have one or more of the following:

constant chronic cough and phlegm

currently experiencing mucus from a cold and/or flu

puffy and crusty eyes in the morning

bad breath throughout the day

constant stuffy nose

dulled senses (lots of salt to make food "taste good")

senses are not sharp (foggy mind, unclear thinking)

Your Own Detox System

Keep your mind on two things when it comes to restoring and continuing your own detoxing process:

1.You have to burn fat to remove stored toxins:

include a regular and effective fat burn regime (regular exercise)

eat clean and balanced meals

drink enough water for your body

2. Repair your gut health to make sure your body can continue its own process:

remove processed / packaged foods from your diet

add more raw vegetables and fruits (green smoothies are ok)

drink water instead of sugary drinks

Honest-tea: We know These Detox Teas Are Misleading

Teas and coffee are best for jumpstarting the process of lipolysis, which is when your body releases free fatty acids into the bloodstream. This occurs when your body is breaking down your fat stores to convert it into energy. That is to say, caffeine boosts metabolism which helps you burn fat (slightly). You can make a metabolism boosting super drink at home using natural spices.

​The following is a list of spices that increase metabolism and won't hurt your pocket:

All of these foods deliver what it needs to increase your metabolism and *start* the fat burn process. But relying on drinks won't burn fat (and remove stored toxins) at all. Include an effective workout routine with a clean eating meal plan and these teas will aid the process of burning fat.